Japanese band One OK Rock to return to Manila on January 29

Japanese rock band One OK Rock continues its overseas campaign as it makes a Manila stop for its album tour on January 29 at the Mall of Asia Arena.

The quartet of Taka, Toru, Ryota, and Tomoya are back in the country after two years, bringing new songs from the Ambitions album to the Asian continent after a European tour last year.

One OK Rock shot to prominence outside of Japan thanks to the Rurouni Kenshin movie series fame an anime-to-movie adaptation with a huge Philippine following.

The band’s song, “Beginning,” proved to be a new start. It surprised viewers as credits rolled with Taka’s powerful voice, a soulful mix of soul and rasp. His diction also made first-time listeners question if the song was indeed by a Japanese band, with mostly English lyrics sung until the first stanza’s middle.

Since then, the band has broken its local chains and grew outside Japan. Its 2015 album,  "3XXXV", was the starting point of their international success, leading to numerous collaborations with artists 5 Seconds of Summer, Avril Lavigne, and Linkin Park. Songs from this album also featured in the Rurouni Kenshin sequels Kyoto Inferno and Legend Ends.

“I believe that it’s important to try and explore different things throughout our lives as musicians,” vocalist Taka was quoted by Pulp Magazine. Out of the eight albums they have released in 12 years, he said that Ambitions is “the first album to really let the world know of the band One OK Rock.”

One OK Rock Ambitions Asia Tour 2018 Live in Manila, presented by Amuse Singapore, B’in Live, and PULP Live World, happens on January 29, 2018 at the Mall of Asia Arena. Gates open at 6pm, show starts at 8pm. Tickets start at P2,500. SM Tickets. For PULP Royalty privileges, call 727-4957.